How One Non-Profit Drives Companies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

And how you can be part of it too.

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by Nicole Winchell, July 26, 2017

CDP is an international non-profit that drives companies and governments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests. And lucky for you, they're currently recruiting! In this interview, we caught up with Carla Pritsch to learn more about CDP and get a glimpse into how they work.

Carla, can you please tell me about CDP and your role?

CDP is an international non-profit that drives companies and governments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests. Founded in 2002, CDP holds the most comprehensive set of corporate environmental data, working with institutional investors with assets of $100 trillion to motivate close to 6,000 companies to disclose and manage their environmental impacts.

I oversee the Sales and Business Development department, which includes CDP’s commercial programs (Reporter Services, Supply Chain and Partnerships), the Water and Forests programs, and our global initiatives (Commit to action). When I joined CDP more than a year ago I started as Account Manager in our Reporter Services team.

What does a typical week entail for you?

The great thing about CDP is that there is no typical week. CDP follows a yearly cycle with different periods (disclosure, events/workshops, reports, engagement etc.). Each of these periods has a different focus and different tasks attached. This makes our work immensely diverse.

What are you looking for in a new team member?

We have a very international and dynamic team with highly motivated and professional members. For us, professional background is just as important as the personal skills. On a professional level, we are looking for someone who balances their mission-driven mindset with a rational business sense. This means that – in an ideal scenario – the person to hire has experience in the NGO and the corporate sector. On a personal level, we are looking for a passionate colleague who shares our vision of a thriving economy that works for people and planet in the long term.

What would be your top 5 (or 3) tips to somebody who wants to get into an organization like CDP and in particular, a role like yours?

Be bold (even if your profile doesn’t meet all criteria in the job ad)

Have the passion for environmental sustainability

Be confident in representing a central topic in a regional office

Don’t shy away from engaging with personalities across different levels of seniority

Be flexible and able to adjust to a very dynamic environment.

Do you want to join the CDP team? Then check out these current open positions: